The Alabama-Florida Peanut Trade Show was held Thursday, February 7, 2019 at the National Peanut Festival fairgrounds in Dothan, Alabama. Over 300 peanut growers and industry partners from Alabama and Florida attended to view industry products and services offered by more than 60 exhibitors. The trade show is sponsored by the Alabama Peanut Producers Association (APPA) and the Florida Peanut Producers Association (FPPA).

A catered lunch was provided by the National Peanut Board, APPA, and FPPA. After lunch, Dr. Marshall Lamb, from the National Peanut Research Lab, spoke to growers about the 2019 crop outlook as well as the current market status. Attendees also heard from Bob Parker, President of the National Peanut Board, and Bob Redding, of the Redding Firm.

A special presentation was made to the American Peanut Shellers Association (APSA) to recognize their success as they celebrate their 100^th anniversary. Jamie Brown, Vice-President and President-elect for APSA, was on hand to accept the award.

Several door prizes were given out throughout the morning of the trade show, but the prizes everyone was most looking forward to winning were announced at lunch.

The Grand Door Prize, provided by Kelley Manufacturing Co., of one season’s use of a six-row peanut combine, and the option to purchase at the end of the season with $15,000 of the list price was won by Mitch Danford of Cottonwood, AL.

The Grower Prize, provided by Amadas Industries, of one season’s use of a peanut digger/ inverter or $10,000 towards the purchase of a new Amadas self-propelled peanut combine or $5,000 towards the purchase of a new pull-type combine was won by Greg Kaiser of Elberta, AL. The AMADAS “Parts Credit” for $1,000 was won by Ashby Massey of Graceville, FL.

The “Ag Trip of a Lifetime”, provided by Colombo North America, of a trip to Brazil to visit Columbo’s manufacturing plants during harvest season, including farms, shelling plants, and local tourism, was won by Tammy Long of Bascom, FL.

Mike Newberry, of Blakely, GA, won a free trip to the Southern Peanut Growers Conference in July. Keith Watford, of Gordon, AL, won a Benelli Nova 12 gauge shotgun.

The Alabama Peanut Producers Association, Auburn University College of Agriculture, and Alabama Cooperative Extension System have set the dates for the 2019 Alabama Peanut Production Meetings. We hope you will make plans to attend the meeting closest to you to learn about the latest research and recommendations coming from our peanut specialists to help you prepare for the 2019 peanut season.

To see a list of the meeting dates, locations and times – CLICK HERE!

Please contact the APPA office if you questions at 334-792-6482.

Carl Sanders, President of the Alabama Peanut Producers Association, has been re-appointed to serve on the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Peanut Standards Board through June 2021. He was appointed by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Recommendations developed by the Peanut Standards Board have played an important part in the production and marketing of peanuts in the United States,” said Perdue in the USDA’s press release on December 3, 2018.

The USDA consults with the Peanut Standards Board on quality and handling standards for domestically produced and imported peanuts.

“I am honored to represent Alabama peanut growers on the Peanut Standards Board,” Sanders says. “It is important for growers to have a voice in any changes to the grading of peanuts. We were fortunate to get the Seg. 2 level raised to three percent this past year. This allows growers more opportunity to market their crops.”

For more information about the Peanut Standards Board, visit www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/facas-advisory-councils/peanut-board.

Congratulations to the 2018 National Peanut Festival Recipe Contest winners! The Adult Grand Prize Winner was Kathryn Conrad of Cottonwood, Ala., with her 3-Layer Peanut Butter Cake. The Student Grand Prize Winner was Skyler Brannon of Hartford, Ala. with her PaPa’s Old-Fashioned Peanut Candy.

Click here to get their winning recipes.

The deadline for applications has been extended to October 31, 2018.

Applications are now being accepted for Class XI of the Peanut Leadership Academy. To be eligible for participation, candidates must derive their primary livelihood from farming and currently produce peanuts, make a commitment to the program and agree to attend all sessions except in times of illness or a family emergency, be between the ages of 22 and 45 and provide a completed application.

The Peanut Leadership Academy is a cooperative effort between Syngenta Crop Protection, the American Peanut Shellers Association and grower organizations. The program began in 1998 with the first class of 14 peanut growers from Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Since then, the academy has grown to include growers from Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and sheller representatives.

During the program, participants are taught how to become more effective spokespeople for the peanut industry, develop industry relationships and further grow their leadership skills. Five sessions take place throughout the 18-month class and require approximately 20 days of travel. During the sessions, activities are structured to give participants a thorough understanding of the United States peanut industry and include industry tours, meetings with industry leaders and professional development training. Each class also has one leadership session in Washington, D.C. where participants have an opportunity to visit with members of congress on issues affecting the peanut industry.

To download a copy of the upcoming class application, visit www.southernpeanutfarmers.org. Applications must be postmarked by Oct. 31, 2018, for consideration. The first session will begin in December 2018.

APPLICATION FOR PEANUT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CLASS XI